Spike puller



' June 28, 1938. P. G. NICHOLS ET AL 2,122,212

SPIKE FULLER Filed April 20, 1957 /3/7 By *imi 3% Patented June 28, 1938 PATENT orties SPIKE PULLER Paul G. Nichols and James D. Nichols, Riverton, Ky.

Application April 20, 1937, Serial ANo. 138,048

4 Claims.

This invention appertains to new and useful improvements in means for pulling spikes from railway ties and other structures without causing distortion of the spike head. There is in use at present a spike having an arched head structure with which the present invention is especially adapted for use, thisparticular spike structure forming the basis of Patent No. 2,015,- 194 issued September 24, 1935.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a simple device which can be readily fastened to the head of a spike so that a claw bar can be used in conjunction therewith without resulting in such malformation of the spike head as to prohibit its further use.

Other important objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to the reader of the following specification.

In the drawing:-

Figure 1 represents a vertical sectional view fragmentarily showing a tie and rail and the puller in side elevation.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary top plan view.

Figure 3 is an end elevational view.

Figure 4 is a plan view of the key.

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line 5-5 oi Figure 1.

Referring to the drawing wherein like numerals designate like parts, it can be seen that numeral 5 represents the standard railway tie upon which the usual plates 6 are placed for supporting the rails 1.

The plate 6 is provided with spike openings therein which are registrable with bores 8 formed in the tie for the reception of the spike shank 9. Numeral I Il generally refers to the spike which as shown is of special design such as is clearly represented in Patent No. 2,015,194, issued September 24, 1935. This type of spike is formed by bending an elongated rod of square cross section back upon itself and then bending the free end portions laterally to form an arch-shaped head formation. This head formation is denoted by numeral II and its free end portion bears upon the rail base shown in Figure 1 when the spike is completely driven into the tie 5.

Thus it can be seen that with this form of spike the puller generally referred to by numeral I2 can be readily and eiiiciently used.

The puller I2 consists of an arch-shaped portion I3 curved in the opposite direction from the rocker runners I4-I4. This arched portion I3 and the runners or rockers Ill-I4 are constructed in one piece and this body has one end curved downwardly as at I5 and its opposite end like- Wise curved downwardly and provided with a notchway I6 for the reception of the free end of the spike head.

The key generally referred to by numeral I6 consists of the key head Il and the slotted arm I8, the key head I1 and arm I8 being in parallel relation and connected by the shank I9.

A machine screw or the like 2l] is disposed through the slotted arm I8 and into the end portion I5 of the puller I2 so that the key head I'I can be slid inwardly or outwardly with respect to the puller.

When it is desired to apply the puller, the device is set upon the spike so that the arched portion I3 rests upon the arched spike head while the runners III- I4 depend at opposite sides of the spike head. The key Il is now slid inwardly under the arch I3 and also under the head II of the spike I thus latching the device to the spike head. The puller is now in position to be rocked.

A claw bar 2l can now be used by placing its head under the portion I of the puller and gradually lifting up on the puller as the claw is inserted. Thus the puller is rocked and in so being rocked gradually pulls the spike from the tie.

While the foregoing specification sets forth the invention in specific terms, it is to be understood that numerous changes in the shape, size and materials may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed hereinafter.

Having described the invention what is claimed as new isz- 1. A puller for pulling spikes of the arched head type comprising a plate having one end portion formed to facilitate the engagement thereunder of a prying tool, an arch-shaped formation on the plate for engagement over the top of a spike head, and a member on the plate shiftable for disposition under the head portion of a spike.

2. A puller for pulling spikes of the arched head type comprising a plate having one end portion formed to facilitate the engagement thereunder of a prying tool, an arch-shaped formation on the plate for engagement over the top of a spike head, and a member on the plate shiftable for disposition under the head portion of a spike, said shiftable member consisting of a pin and a slidable connection between the pin and the plate.

3. A puller for pulling spikes of the arched head type comprising a plate having one end portion formed to facilitate the engagement thereunder of a prying tool, an arch-shaped formation on the plate for engagement over the top of a spike head, and a member on the plate shiftable for disposition under the head portion of a spike, said shiftable member consisting of a pin and a shiitable connection between the pin and the plate, said slidable connection consisting of an arm on the pin having an opening therein and a securing element disposed through the openingl and into the plate.

4. A puller for pulling spikes of the arched head type comprising a plate having one end por'- tion formed to facilitate the engagement thereunder of a prying tool, an arch-shaped formation on the plate for engagement over the top of a spike head, and a member on the plate shiftable for disposition under the head portion of a spike, said plate being in the form of a rocker and adapted to rock When moved by a prying tool.

PAUL G. NICHOLS.

JAMES D. NICHOLS. 

